Keighley

Hall to close while work takes place

Victoria Hall in Keighley will close for almost three months next year for rewiring and the installation of a new heating system.

The former mansion, which has a stage, dance floor, bar and kitchens, will be shut from February 4 to April 30.

The leisure centre and swimming pool, also in Victoria Park, will remain open while the work is carried out. The pool is currently closed for maintenance and is due to reopen on January 2.

The Victoria Hall closure will not affect performances of Keighley Amateurs’ pantomime, Aladdin, which finishes two days previously. But it has meant the cancellation of Keighley Model Railway Club’s annual exhibition, due to be held on March 14 and 15.

The club will instead hold an open weekend on the same dates at its headquarters in Keighley Business Centre.

Publicity officer Mick McNamara said the exhibition was an important fundraiser, bringing in about £1,600 a year. The club’s open weekends usually raise only a third of that.

Ian Bairstow, Bradford Council’s strategic director for environment and sport, said the closure of Victoria Hall would allow for a complete rewiring and the installation of a new boiler and heating system.

He added: “A new roof and new windows are currently being installed.”

Victoria Hall was built in 1819 as a home for mill owner William Sugden and was originally known as Eastwood House. The grounds were bought by public subscription – half funded by Cliffe Castle owner, Henry Isaac Butterfield – and opened as Victoria Park in 1893.